NURS_6050 Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

All patients need to be advocated for and cared for by nurses. Some of the provisions may call for a policy or piece of legislation, even though this may call for high-quality care, patient education, and attending to patients’ needs. The political sphere is thought to be less familiar to nurses, however politics can aid to bring about change and advocate for patients’ interests. This essay will examine the health care bill and fill out a comparison grid regarding it. In addition, I’ll concentrate on a congressional testimony or advocacy statement outlining my viewpoint on the proposed law.

Health-related Bill Name	Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Protection Act of 2021
Bill Number	H.R.137
Description	This bill authorizes the funding support from the federal government to improve access to the treatment of mental health related issues and to decrease gun violence.
Federal or State?	Federal
Legislative Intent	The bill increases the funding in the accessibility of the mental health by $0.4 billion in the financial year 2022, increasing the access to mental health care for the treatment services, and a provision of the reporting system for the mental health over the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (GovTrack, 2021).
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents: the bill is yet to undergo voting to determine those in support of the provisions of the bill.
Proponents/ Opponents	Opponents: the bill is yet to undergo voting to determine those opposing the provisions of the bill.
Target Population	About 25% of adults Americans who are either victims of mental health or gun violence, or domestic abuse (Congress, 2021).
Status of the bill	This Bill was presented in the House of Representatives on 4^th January

(Is it in hearings or

committees?)

2021. Currently, the bill is under appraisal by the Subcommittee on

terrorism, crime, and Native land Security.

General

Notes/Comments

This bill was first presented to the House of Representatives on 4^th

January, 2021 by the Texas’ representative, Ms. Jackson Lee.

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

I am a Master of Science Nursing (MSN) student at the Walden University. I powerfully support the projected bill, “Mental Health Access and Gun Violence Prevention Act of 2021.” The bill is intended to improve access to mental health for both accessibility and treatment services. Besides, the bill is set to increase funding for mental health to the tune of $0.5 billion in the fiscal year 2022.

Based on the supporting evidence of the bill, about one in every 4 Americans adults has a mental health problem. These equate to about 25% of all Americans adults and this is worrying. Although the rates vary from one state to another, there have been some critical changes in recent years. Furthermore, 110 million Americans are in areas with a mental professional shortage areas (MHA, 2020). The statistics are worrying and indicate the need for increase access to mental health care provisions in the United States.

The other part of the bill is set to regulate the gun violence protection. With more than 60% of the suicides being committed using guns, it is necessary to advocate the needs of the patients. Moreover, victims of domestic abuse have high possibility of committing murder when a gun is present. According to the Mental Health America, gun violence is a contributing factor for development of mental illness (MHA, 2020). Thus there is need to regulate the mental health access in the country and alleviate the potential deaths that may result from the condition and worse with the prevailing gun protection regulations.

Conclusion

It is critical to advocate for access to health care for mental health patients and address the contributing factors. My stand on H.R. 137 bill is that the bill advocates the needs of 25% Americans who barley have access to mental care services and treatment, and others who are likely to become victims from gun related violence. Through funding and increased access to mental health care, there will be reduced gun related deaths in the United States. Also, gun related incidences are also likely to reduce.

References

Congress. (2021, March 1). Actions – H.R.137 – 117th Congress (2021-2022): Mental health access and gun violence prevention Act of 2021. Congress.gov | Library of Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/137/all- actions-without-amendments

GovTrack. (2021). Mental health access and gun violence prevention Act of 2021 (H.R.137). GovTrack.us. https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr137

MHA. (2019). Mental health in America – Access to care data 2018. Mental Health America. https://www.mhanational.org/issues/mental-health-america-access- care-data-2018

MHA. (2020). Gun deaths, violence and mental health. Mental Health America. https://www.mhanational.org/gun-deaths-violence-and-mental-health

Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

As a nurse, how often have you thought to yourself, If I had anything to do about it, things would work a little differently? Increasingly, nurses are beginning to realize that they do, in fact, have a role and a voice.

Many nurses encounter daily experiences that motivate them to take on an advocacy role in hopes of impacting policies, laws, or regulations that impact healthcare issues of interest. Of course, doing so means entering the less familiar world of policy and politics. While many nurses do not initially feel prepared to operate in this space effectively, the reward is the opportunity to shape and influence future health policy.

To Prepare:

Select a bill that has been proposed (not one that has been enacted) using the congressional websites provided in the Learning Resources.

The Assignment: (1- to 2-page Legislation Grid; 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement)

Be sure to add a title page, an introduction, purpose statement, and a conclusion. This is an APA paper.

Part 1: Legislation Grid

Based on the health-related bill (proposed, not enacted) you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.
Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.
Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.
Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.
Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples.
At least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources are used.

By Day 7 of Week 4

Submit your completed legislation grid and testimony/advocacy statement.

Learning Resources

Required Readings

Milstead, J. A., & Short, N. M. (2019). Health policy and politics: A nurse’s guide (6th ed.). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Chapter 3, “Government Response: Legislation” (pp. 37–56)
Chapter 10, “Overview: The Economics and Finance of Health Care” (pp. 180–183 only)

Congress.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.congress.gov/

Taylor, D., Olshansky, E., Fugate-Woods, N., Johnson-Mallard, V., Safriet, B. J., & Hagan, T. (2017). Corrigendum to position statement: Political interference in sexual and reproductive health research and health professional education. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 346–350.

United States House of Representatives. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.house.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/

United States Senate. (n.d.). Senate organization chart for the 115th Congress. Retrieved September 20, 2018, from https://www.senate.gov/reference/org_chart.htm

Document: Legislation Grid Template (Word document)

Legislation Grid Template

Use this document to complete Part 1 of the Module 2 Assessment Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Health-related Bill Name
Bill Number
Description
Federal or State?
Legislative Intent
Proponents/ Opponents	Proponents:
Proponents/ Opponents	Opponents:
Target Population
Status of the bill (Is it in hearings or committees?)
General Notes/Comments

Rubric Detail

Select Grid View or List View to change the rubric’s layout.

	Excellent	Good	Fair	Poor
Federal and State Legislation Part 1: Legislation Grid Based on the health-related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following: • Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed. • Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill. • Identify the target populations addressed by the bill. • Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?	32 (32%) – 35 (35%) The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health-related bill.	28 (28%) – 31 (31%) The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.	25 (25%) – 27 (27%) The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill. The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.	0 (0%) – 24 (24%) Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing. Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing. The description of the current status of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.
Advocating for Legislation Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following: • Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position. • Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples. NURS_6050 Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement	45 (45%) – 50 (50%) Testimony clearly and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill. Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples. A complete, detailed, and specific synthesis of two outside resources is provided. The response fully integrates at least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources that fully supports the responses provided.	40 (40%) – 44 (44%) Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill. Response provides an accurate explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example. An accurate synthesis of at least one outside resource is provided. The response integrates at least 1 outside resource and 2-3 course specific resources that may support the responses provided.	35 (35%) – 39 (39%) Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate. Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate. A vague or inaccurate synthesis of outside resources is provided. The response minimally integrates resources that may support the responses provided.	0 (0%) – 34 (34%) Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing. Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, or is missing. A vague and inaccurate synthesis of no outside resources is provided, or is missing. The response fails to integrate any resources to support the responses provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization: Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.	5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.	3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time. Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time. No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.
Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards: Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation	5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.	3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.
Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.	5 (5%) – 5 (5%) Uses correct APA format with no errors.	4 (4%) – 4 (4%) Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.	3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%) Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.	0 (0%) – 3 (3%) Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.
Total Points: 100

Excellent

Good

Fair

Poor

Federal and State Legislation

Part 1: Legislation Grid

Based on the health-related bill you selected, complete the Legislation Grid Template. Be sure to address the following:

• Determine the legislative intent of the bill you have reviewed.

• Identify the proponents/opponents of the bill.

• Identify the target populations addressed by the bill.

• Where in the process is the bill currently? Is it in hearings or committees?

32 (32%) – 35 (35%)

The response clearly and accurately summarizes in detail the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies in detail the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies in detail the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response clearly and thoroughly describes in detail the current status of the health-related bill.

28 (28%) – 31 (31%)

The response accurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response accurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response accurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.

25 (25%) – 27 (27%)

The response vaguely or inaccurately summarizes the legislative intent of the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately identifies the populations targeted by the health-related bill.

The response vaguely or inaccurately describes the current status of the health-related bill.

0 (0%) – 24 (24%)

Summary of the legislative intent of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

Identification of the proponents and opponents of the health-related bill are vague and inaccurate or is missing.

Identification of the populations targeted by the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

The description of the current status of the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate or is missing.

Advocating for Legislation

Part 2: Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement

Based on the health-related bill you selected, develop a 1-page Legislation Testimony/Advocacy Statement that addresses the following:

• Advocate a position for the bill you selected and write testimony in support of your position.

• Describe how you would address the opponent to your position. Be specific and provide examples. NURS_6050 Assignment: Legislation Grid and Testimony/Advocacy Statement

45 (45%) – 50 (50%)

Testimony clearly and thoroughly provides statements that fully justifies a position for a health-related bill.

Response provides a detailed, thorough, and logical explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and includes one or more clear and accurate supporting examples.

A complete, detailed, and specific synthesis of two outside resources is provided. The response fully integrates at least 2 outside resources and 2-3 course specific resources that fully supports the responses provided.

40 (40%) – 44 (44%)

Testimony clearly and accurately provides statements that somewhat justifies a position for a health-related bill.

Response provides an accurate explanation of how to address opponents to the position for the health-related bill and may include at least one supporting example.

An accurate synthesis of at least one outside resource is provided. The response integrates at least 1 outside resource and 2-3 course specific resources that may support the responses provided.

35 (35%) – 39 (39%)

Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague or inaccurate.

Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague or inaccurate, lacks logic, and/or the supporting examples are vague or inaccurate.

A vague or inaccurate synthesis of outside resources is provided. The response minimally integrates resources that may support the responses provided.

0 (0%) – 34 (34%)

Testimony used to justify a position for a health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, incomplete, or is missing.

Explanation of how to address the opponents to the position for the health-related bill is vague and inaccurate, or is missing.

A vague and inaccurate synthesis of no outside resources is provided, or is missing. The response fails to integrate any resources to support the responses provided.

Written Expression and Formatting – Paragraph Development and Organization:

Paragraphs make clear points that support well developed ideas, flow logically, and demonstrate continuity of ideas. Sentences are carefully focused–neither long and rambling nor short and lacking substance. A clear and comprehensive purpose statement and introduction is provided which delineates all required criteria.

5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity.

A clear and comprehensive purpose statement, introduction, and conclusion is provided which delineates all required criteria.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 80% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is stated, yet is brief and not descriptive.

3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity 60%- 79% of the time.

Purpose, introduction, and conclusion of the assignment is vague or off topic.

0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Paragraphs and sentences follow writing standards for flow, continuity, and clarity < 60% of the time.

No purpose statement, introduction, or conclusion was provided.

Written Expression and Formatting – English writing standards:

Correct grammar, mechanics, and proper punctuation

5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Uses correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation with no errors.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Contains a few (1-2) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Contains several (3-4) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Contains many (≥ 5) grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors that interfere with the reader’s understanding.

Written Expression and Formatting – The paper follows correct APA format for title page, headings, font, spacing, margins, indentations, page numbers, parenthetical/in-text citations, and reference list.

5 (5%) – 5 (5%)

Uses correct APA format with no errors.

4 (4%) – 4 (4%)

Contains a few (1-2) APA format errors.

3.5 (3.5%) – 3.5 (3.5%)

Contains several (3-4) APA format errors.

0 (0%) – 3 (3%)

Contains many (≥ 5) APA format errors.

Total Points: 100